Assessment of Malnutrition in Hospitalized Patients: a Quasi Study

Assessment of Malnutrition in Hospitalized Patients: a Quasi Study

Malnutrition among hospitalized patients is a critical, yet often overlooked, public health issue associated with increased complications, longer hospital stays, higher mortality, and greater healthcare costs. In Iraq, factors such as dietary patterns, the burden of chronic diseases, and healthcare constraints may increase the risk of hospital-acquired malnutrition. Current standard care may not include systematic nutritional screening or protocol-driven support. This trial aims to test whether implementing an individualized nutritional support program can improve clinical outcomes for at-risk medical inpatients in Iraqi hospitals, building upon evidence from international studies

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age: Adult patients aged $\ge$ 18 years.Setting: Patients admitted to the Medicine, Surgery, or Neurology Intensive Care Unit (ICU) wards at Al-Basrah Teaching Hospital or Al-Fayhaa General Hospital.Duration of Stay: Patients who have been hospitalized for a minimum of 48 hours (to ensure a baseline for malnutrition screening and medication review).Clinical Conditions: Patients with various primary diagnoses, including specific subgroups with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Alzheimer's Disease.Informed Consent: Patients or their legal guardians (especially for those in the ICU or with cognitive impairment) who provide written or verbal informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Maternity/Obstetrics: Pregnant or lactating women, as nutritional requirements and physiological BMI changes differ from the general adult population.

Terminal Illness: Patients in end-of-life or palliative care where nutritional intervention is no longer a clinical goal.

Incomplete Records: Patients with missing medical or medication charts that prevent the accurate identification of Medication-Related Problems (MRPs).

Short Stay: Patients planned for discharge or transfer within less than 48 hours of admission.

Psychiatric Disorders: Patients with primary psychiatric diagnoses that may interfere with the ability to conduct nutritional assessments (unless a guardian is present).